Pune, 3rd June 2026: Even though the dams supplying water to the city currently have slightly more water than they did at the same time last year, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is reviewing the city's water situation amid concerns over a potentially weak monsoon due to the El Niño effect.
PMC officials will hold a meeting on Friday to assess the available water in the Khadakwasla dam system, which includes the Khadakwasla, Panshet, Varasgaon and Temghar reservoirs.
The meeting will focus on water availability for the coming months and possible measures to ensure a stable supply if rainfall remains below expectations.
According to data, the four dams collectively held around 5.64 TMC of water on June 2 last year. This year, storage has improved marginally to nearly 5.87 TMC. Pune typically requires between 1.5 and 1.65 TMC of water every month to meet the city's needs.
Officials clarified that no immediate decision has been taken regarding water cuts. However, the administration is keeping all options open and will take a final call after reviewing monsoon forecasts, rainfall received during June, and the overall reservoir situation.
Water planning has also been affected by the delay in convening the Canal Advisory Committee meeting, which is usually held in November or December under the chairmanship of the district guardian minister.
The committee is responsible for deciding water allocation for drinking and irrigation purposes. This year's meeting could not be conducted due to election-related restrictions and administrative delays.
Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil has approved summer irrigation releases from the dam system. Since February 18, nearly 7 TMC of the planned 9 TMC water allocation has already been released for agricultural use.
Earlier, the Water Resources Department had proposed a 15 per cent cut in Pune's water quota. However, PMC has continued supplying water without any reduction so far. Mayor Manjusha Nagpure had also announced that there would be no water cuts in the city until the end of May.
With the monsoon season now underway, civic and water resource authorities are closely monitoring rainfall patterns and reservoir levels before making any decisions on future water supply restrictions.
